Kid Cudi to Star as Jean-Michel Basquiat in Biopic He Wrote and Will Direct
Kid Cudi is set to portray legendary artist Jean-Michel Basquiat in *Jean*, an upcoming biographical film that the rapper will write, direct and star in. Cudi announced the project on social media, sharing images of himself in character and revealing that production is scheduled to begin in 2027. The musician said he decided to write the screenplay himself after years of being asked about playing Basquiat, explaining that the project required extensive research, including reading books and speaking with people who knew the artist. Cudi described the film as a “love letter to Jean, the 80s and NY city,” adding that Basquiat has inspired him throughout his career.
Cudi has steadily expanded his acting and filmmaking résumé in recent years. He has appeared in films including *Bill & Ted Face the Music*, *House Party* and Ti West’s horror trilogy *X*, *Pearl* and *MaXXXine*. He is also preparing to make his feature directorial debut with *Doe*, which began
production in Los Angeles earlier this year. Additionally, Cudi is set to direct and star in the horror thriller *Wrong Number*, opposite *Euphoria* actress Barbie Ferreira. With *Jean*, the musician will take on one of his most ambitious projects yet, bringing the story of an influential figure in the New York art scene to the screen.
Cudi’s film is not the only project exploring Basquiat’s life and legacy. Director Kwame Kwei-Armah has also been developing The Collaboration, a film adaptation of his 2022 stage play about the relationship between Basquiat and pop art icon Andy Warhol. The project stars Jeremy Pope as Basquiat and Paul Bettany as Warhol, although it currently has no announced release date. Basquiat, who rose to prominence in New York during the 1980s, became one of the era’s most celebrated contemporary artists before dying in 1988 at age 27. Cudi has said he hopes to tell the artist’s story in a fresh way, making the film a personal tribute to a creative figure who helped shape his own artistic journey.
Ghanaian dancehall star Shatta Wale celebrates life with his new single, “One More Year,” a birthday anthem expressing gratitude, seeking blessings, and embracing the hope of many more years ahead. Blending his signature swagger with fresh, synth-driven production, the track delivers an energetic, dance-floor-ready sound while reflecting on life, appreciation, and personal growth. With its uplifting message and infectious vibe, Shatta Wale delivers another celebratory offering.
British-Eritrean singer-songwriter Danni Tesfay returns with “You,” her latest contemporary R&B single, released last week. The track marks Danni's comeback after a three-year hiatus following her 2023 breakout songs and serves as the title track of her new album. Blending sultry R&B, pop, and soul over highly charged production, Tesfay delivers a sensual performance exploring desire, intimacy, and longing for her partner’s touch.
Jay-Z has reportedly chosen himself to headline the halftime show at Super Bowl LXI, scheduled for February 14 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. According to Puck News, the 25-time Grammy Award winner emerged as the preferred choice over other potential performers, including Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber. Harry Styles was also previously reported to be among the frontrunners for the high-profile performance. If confirmed, the appearance would mark Jay-Z’s first time performing at the Super Bowl halftime show. Jay-Z and his entertainment company, Roc Nation, have overseen the Super Bowl halftime show’s production and artist selection since 2019. The reported decision comes as the rap icon celebrates the 30th anniversary of his landmark 1996 debut album, *Reasonable Doubt*, with his Jay-Z 30 Tour. The tour includes back-to-back performances at SoFi Stadium on October 23 and 24. According to Puck News, Jay-Z grossed more than $42 million during three consecutive shows at Yankee Stadium in July, underscoring the continued demand for his live performances. Although Jay-Z has yet to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show, his wife, Beyoncé, headlined the event in 2013 and returned as a special guest alongside Bruno Mars and Coldplay in 2016. Jay-Z’s most recent studio album, *4:44*, arrived in June 2017, while his musical legacy continues through his extensive catalog and recent re-releases. The rapper, who became the first hip-hop artist inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, remains a major figure in the music industry. An official announcement regarding the Super Bowl LXI halftime performer has not been confirmed in the supplied report.
Dame Dash is challenging the recent sale of his life rights for $550,000, with his attorney filing an objection in bankruptcy court on Friday, October 23. The sale, which was completed by auction earlier in the week, awarded exclusive worldwide rights to Dash’s life story to Everlasting Films, LLC. The proceeds are expected to go toward paying Dash’s creditors. However, attorney Mark S. Roher has raised several concerns about the terms of the deal, arguing that certain aspects of Dash’s personal history and future involvement should be excluded from the agreement. In the court filing, Roher argued that assets acquired by Dash after his September 2025 bankruptcy filing should not be included in the sale. He also requested assurances that Dash would not be required to communicate with or assist Everlasting Films, warning that such an obligation could prevent his client from moving forward with his life. Additionally, the attorney sought to protect Dash’s unrecorded memories, experiences and thought processes from being included in the rights agreement. A hearing on the sale is scheduled for next week, and Roher has reserved the right to raise further objections. Everlasting Films won the auction with a $550,000 bid, securing rights to Dash’s life story, approximately 100 hours of video footage, photographs, memorabilia and an unreleased documentary or film project in development. The auction process began in August, when bankruptcy trustee Traci K. Stevenson sought permission to sell Dash’s life rights to help satisfy his outstanding debts. Stevenson argued that Dash had failed to list the rights among his assets when he filed for bankruptcy in 2025, despite their potential value stemming from his public profile and association with Roc-A-Fell
Stevie Wonder is taking legal action against Carmen Efferson, a former romantic partner, in an effort to evict her from a Los Angeles property he owns. According to court documents obtained by TMZ, Efferson has reportedly lived in the home rent-free since July 1988 under a verbal agreement that included no written lease or monthly rental payments. Wonder’s legal team claims the arrangement has ended and is asking a judge to order her to leave the property. The lawsuit alleges that Wonder’s representatives made several attempts over the summer to access the home for an insurance inspection, but Efferson refused to allow them inside. Her alleged refusal reportedly jeopardized the property’s insurance coverage, prompting Wonder’s team to issue a notice in July terminating her right to remain there. Although Efferson was reportedly expected to vacate the property by August 27, she allegedly remained in the home, leading to the eviction lawsuit. Court documents also reveal a tense exchange between Efferson and Wonder’s legal team, with Efferson accusing an attorney of displaying “white male privilege.” Attorney David Huff disputed her characterization, noting that the lawyer who initially contacted her was neither white nor male. The dispute adds another chapter to the reported history between Wonder and Efferson, who were said to have been engaged in the late 1980s. The legendary singer has since moved on, marrying his third wife, Tomeeka Robyn Bracy, in 2017. Wonder is now seeking a court order to remove Efferson from the property, along with damages and reimbursement for legal expenses. The lawsuit’s outcome will determine whether Efferson must leave the home she has reportedly occupied for nearly four decades.
Ghanaian-Canadian singer-songwriter Luna Elle has released her 12-track debut album, R.S.V.P., on October 23 via Hot Freestyle Records. The project features just one guest appearance, Nigerian R&B singer Shae Universe on the closing track “Blame Me.” Other standout songs include the introspective “Moment of Silence” and soulful “Somebody Like You.” The album also features “Come to Me,” a contemporary R&B single exploring intimacy, emotional vulnerability, and the magnetic pull of romantic connection. Blending soulful melodies, heartfelt songwriting, and contemporary R&B influences, R.S.V.P. introduces Elle’s artistic vision and establishes her as an emerging voice in the genre.
R&B singer-songwriter October London has released the official music video for “Body Talk,” a standout from his latest album, Love Me For Me , out via Death Row Records/gamma. Produced by Snoop Dogg, Priest “Soopafly” Brooks and MyGuyMars, the visual blends steamy romantic moments with full-band performance scenes, highlighting the track’s sensual atmosphere. In the video the South Bend, Indiana native explores the tension between public attention and private intimacy, continuing to showcase his smooth vocals and contemporary soul sound.
NYC rapper Cory Gunz pays tribute to hip-hop’s golden era with his new single and video, “99 9’s,” from his 96 Era project. Produced by Ski Beatz, the track flips JAY-Z’s classic “22 Two’s,” bringing New York lyricism to the forefront. Filmed outside Brooklyn’s iconic Marcy Projects, the video features a cameo from Memphis Bleek and Cory arriving in a yellow Lamborghini as Gunz delivers intricate rhymes while celebrating the legacy of 1990s hip-hop.
Mariah Carey has won the dismissal of her brother Morgan Carey’s $20 million defamation lawsuit over claims made in her 2020 bestselling memoir, The Meaning of Mariah Carey. On Monday, October 19, New York State Supreme Court Justice Leslie A. Stroth ruled that Morgan failed to provide sufficient evidence that the five-time Grammy winner acted with “actual malice” when writing about him in the book. Morgan filed the lawsuit in 2021, alleging that his sister’s statements damaged his reputation and caused him personal pain. In his lawsuit, Morgan claimed that Mariah portrayed him as a physically violent man, accused him of involvement with drugs and described him as having behavioral problems during his childhood. He argued that the singer prioritized the commercial success of her memoir over verifying the accuracy of her claims and sought damages he believed exceeded $20 million. However, under New York’s Anti-SLAPP law, plaintiffs must provide clear and convincing evidence that allegedly defamatory statements were made with knowledge of their falsity or reckless disregard for the truth. Justice Stroth determined that Morgan had not met that legal standard, noting that allegations of ill will between the siblings were insufficient to establish actual malice. Following the ruling, Mariah’s attorney, John Rosenberg, told PEOPLE that the singer was “gratified that the court recognized that her memoir addresses significant issues of public interest and dismissed her brother’s defamation claims in their entirety.” The decision marks a legal victory for Mariah, whose memoir detailed personal experiences and family relationships throughout her life. PEOPLE reported that it had reached out to Morgan’s legal representatives for comment.
Released in April 1994, Warren G and Nate Dogg’s “Regulate” became one of the defining records of West Coast hip-hop. Featured on the soundtrack to the basketball drama Above the Rim before appearing on Warren G’s debut album, Regulate... G Funk Era , the single captured the smooth, laid-back sound of G-funk. Powered by a memorable sample of Michael McDonald’s “I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near),” the track blended soulful melodies, deep bass and vivid storytelling into a record that helped bring West Coast rap to an even wider audience. “Regulate” tells a cinematic story of a nighttime encounter in Long Beach that takes a dangerous turn when Warren G is robbed during a dice game. Nate Dogg steps in to help his friend, delivering his unmistakable melodic vocals alongside Warren G’s relaxed, conversational flow. The song’s opening dialogue, sampled from the 1988 Western Young Guns , immediately sets the tone, while the chemistry between the two artists makes the narrative feel like a short film set to music. The accompanying video further connected the song to Above the Rim , featuring footage from the movie and a cameo by Tupac Shakur. The single became a major commercial success, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reaching No. 8 on the R&B/Hip-Hop chart. Its music video became an MTV staple, remaining at the top of the network’s video charts for much of the summer of 1994. More than a hit record, “Regulate” helped cement Warren G and Nate Dogg’s place in hip-hop history, showcasing the power of combining storytelling, sampling and soulful vocals. Decades later, its instantly recognizable groove and timeless West Coast vibe continue to make it an essential soundtrack to the golden era of ’90s hip-hop.